Nordfold returns to Anjunadeep with his ‘Praise The Sun EP’.
First debuting on the label in April 2020 with double A-side ‘Venus / Trondheim’, Nordfold has been a consistent label staple this decade with five other solo releases and numerous compilation appearances to his name. The talent behind fan favourite ‘Letter To Lillehammer’, last year Nordfold released his highly anticipated ‘Pathways EP’ following the title track’s appearance on Anjunadeep 15, and also shared his remix of Martin Roth’s ‘Ultraviolet’ which landed on Movement Vol. 2.
Momentum continues to grow behind the Dutch DJ and producer, playing a six-date South Asia tour this summer that took him to India and Bangladesh, alongside making appearances at a string of the label’s key events this year. Fresh off the back of sets at Anjunadeep Explorations in Albania and Open Air The Hague, in October Nordfold joins us for a hometown set at Anjunadeep Amsterdam in new venue RAWFACTORY, alongside playing our Malta Weekender and heading to London for Anjunadeep’s UK tour show at The Cause.
His latest ‘Praise The Sun EP’ features chunky dancefloor grooves, peak-time energy, as well as intricate melodic production. Simon’s on a roll at the moment and absolutely one to watch. Keep an ear out for ‘Forever’, a new ID coming in the near future.
Nordfold’s ‘Praise The Sun EP’ is out now on Anjunadeep.
Buy/Stream Nordfold 'Praise The Sun' EP: https://anjunadeep.co/npts.oyd
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Nordfold - Praise The Sun EP [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]Nordfold’s “Praise The Sun EP” is a masterclass in melodic progressive house production, demonstrating a deep understanding of rhythm, atmosphere, and emotional resonance. The EP opens with the title track “Praise The Sun” at a solid 126 BPM, immediately engaging the listener with a blend of techy grooves and metallic basslines. The production is meticulous—the layered synths create an evolving harmonic landscape, while the chopped vocal elements function almost like a chorus, providing a human touch amid the driving electronic textures. The transitions and drops are executed with precision, maintaining energy flow and momentum while allowing each section of the track to breathe. “Soul Seek,” clocking in at 124 BPM, takes a slightly more introspective approach. Here Nordfold utilizes moody kicks, trance-infused synth lines, and a metallic low end to build a hypnotic groove that gradually unfolds. The use of atmospheric reverb and spatial effects enhances the track’s immersive quality, with ethereal “ah ah” vocals floating above the mix. This slower tempo gives the track a meditative quality, making it ideal for both home listening and early-set club experiences, where mental engagement and emotional immersion are prioritized over peak physical energy. The EP closes with “Eco Chambers,” a breakbeat-driven track that diverges into electro territory. Its deep synth arrangements and lush ambient layers create a cinematic space that encourages relaxation and introspective listening. The combination of wide stereo imaging, dynamic range, and carefully sculpted frequency balance makes this track particularly effective for mental well-being, as it guides the listener through a journey of tension and release without ever feeling overwhelming. From a technical perspective, the EP shines in sound design and production quality. Nordfold’s use of filters, delays, and modulation effects serves not only to create dynamic transitions but also to enhance the spatial depth of the tracks. The meticulous attention to EQ and loudness balance ensures that no element overpowers another, contributing to a polished and professional listening experience. Mental Health and Psychological Impact: Scientific research increasingly supports the mental health benefits of immersive music experiences. Studies in music therapy suggest that repetitive rhythmic patterns and harmonic progressions can help reduce stress and anxiety, while also improving focus (Thoma et al., 2013). Progressive electronic music, characterized by its gradual build-ups and evolving textures, aligns with findings that music with moderate tempo and stable rhythm promotes a meditative state and emotional regulation (Pelletier, 2004). Listening to tracks like those on “Praise The Sun EP” can function as a form of active meditation. The hypnotic elements of progressive house engage the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine and enhancing mood (Salimpoor et al., 2011). Meanwhile, the spacious sound design and dynamic range support relaxation and mental clarity, aligning with research into how ambient and electronic compositions can foster a sense of emotional well-being (Koelsch, 2015). Overall, Nordfold delivers an intelligently crafted EP that is as technically impressive as it is emotionally restorative. Its blend of creativity, cohesion, and sonic storytelling reinforces the growing body of research demonstrating music’s capacity to support mental and emotional well-being. #PureGold Love IT[/content]
[item value="10"]Rhythm, Groove & Drive[/item][item value="10"]Melodic Hooks & Harmonic Layers[/item]
[item value="10"]Transitions, Drops & Build-Ups [/item]
[item value="10"]Energy Flow & Momentum [/item]
[item value="10"]Sound Design & Production Quality[/item]
[item value="10"]Originality of Arrangement & Structure[/item]
[item value="10"]Use of Effects & Spatial Design[/item]
[item value="10"]Dynamic Range & Loudness Balance[/item]
[item value="10"]Atmosphere & Immersion[/item]
[item value="10"]Emotional Resonance[/item]
[item value="10"]Creativity & Artistic Identity[/item]
[item value="10"]Cohesion & Storytelling[/item]
[item value="10"]Vocal Performance & Lyrical Impact[/item]
[item value="10"]Catchiness & Replay Value[/item]
[item value="10"]Club / Festival Suitability[/item]
[item value="10"]Track Intro/Outro Structure[/item]
[item value="10"]BPM Consistency & Sync Ease[/item]
[item value="10"]Cue Points & Loop Potential[/item]
[item value="10"]Dynamic Energy for Set Flow[/item]
[item value="10"]Crowd Reaction Potential[/item]
[/review]
Suggested Bibliography for Further Reading
Koelsch, S. (2015). Music-evoked emotions: Principles, brain correlates, and implications for therapy. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1337(1), 193–201.
Pelletier, C. L. (2004). The Effect of Music on Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Medical Procedures: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Music Therapy, 41(1), 52–63.
Salimpoor, V. N., Benovoy, M., Larcher, K., Dagher, A., & Zatorre, R. J. (2011). Anatomically distinct dopamine release during anticipation and experience of peak emotion to music. Nature Neuroscience, 14(2), 257–262.
Thoma, M. V., Ryf, S., Mohiyeddini, C., Ehlert, U., & Nater, U. M. (2013). Emotion regulation through listening to music in everyday situations. Cognition & Emotion, 27(3), 534–543.
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